Liquid cooling - Theoretical question

[Ser James Acinonyx of Compactis]

This is a random idea that fell into my mind the other day. It's not something I would do, for the same reasons others would not; it's likely impractical. Still, it's a nice thought experiment.

So the premise is as follows: Pressurized gas (like propane or nitrogen) is liquid and very cold, which is why bare metal gas tanks can be cold to the touch, sometimes even be covered in condensation. Liquid cooling is there to bring heat away from components and let the coolant via radiators dissipate the heat outside the case (unless you mount intake fans on your rads, like in the front). The idea would be to run metal pipes inside a filled, pressurized gas tank and let the coolant run through the pipes, possibly providing high heat dissipation. Naturally with sub-zero liquid gas like nitrogen, it might be a good idea to have an anti-freeze in the coolant, like LTT did with the whole room watercooling loop.

 

So, what are your opinions? Again, it's just a theoretical question and thought experiment.

[Naeaes]

In theory, if you pressurize a tank full of a liquid like that and won't allow it to expand, the heat won't transfer to it. In practice the heat will transfer to it, it will expand and it will blow up. Your idea would work if the tank wasn't pressurized allowing the cold liquid to expand, turn into a gas and get out. You just have to refill it constantly. Which is exactly how LN2 cooling works.

[Ser James Acinonyx of Compactis]

5 minutes ago, Naeaes said:

In theory, if you pressurize a tank full of a liquid like that and won't allow it to expand, the heat won't transfer to it. In practice the heat will transfer to it, it will expand and it will blow up. Your idea would work if the tank wasn't pressurized allowing the cold liquid to expand, turn into a gas and get out. You just have to refill it constantly. Which is exactly how LN2 cooling works.

That thought did strike me, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway, for the heck of it.

[Rammix]

Also the condensation would be a big problem. 

[Naeaes]

2 minutes ago, Ser James Acinonyx of Compactis said:

That thought did strike me, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway, for the heck of it.

That's how innovation works. Never dismiss an idea just because it seems too obvious. It just might not be too far fetched. We'd have no Google, no Uber, no Amazon... 

[FilipSebik]

Phase change?

[airdeano]

re-read on how refrigeration works.

 

once the 'gas' reaches room temperature, the 'chilling' effect is lost.

your list coolants boil at such below 0° temperature, the pressure will always be intact.

[Ser James Acinonyx of Compactis]

26 minutes ago, airdeano said:

your list coolants boil at such below 0° temperature, the pressure will always be intact.

Not entirely sure what you meant by this. Could you perhaps elaborate?

[airdeano]

boiling temperature of nitrogen -  (−195.795°C, −320.431°F)

boiling point of propane - (-44°C, -47°F)

 

the vessel pressurized (from the expansion of the boiled liquid) moves the substance at a pressure greater than where it is released. as in refrigeration, the gas escaping into the atmosphere through a reduced orifice, the refrigerant passing through becomes 'cooler' than atmosphere.

 

again, more refrigeration process.

[Ser James Acinonyx of Compactis]

8 minutes ago, airdeano said:

boiling temperature of nitrogen -  (−195.795°C, −320.431°F)

boiling point of propane - (-44°C, -47°F)

 

the vessel pressurized (from the expansion of the boiled liquid) moves the substance at a pressure greater than where it is released. as in refrigeration, the gas escaping into the atmosphere through a reduced orifice, the refrigerant passing through becomes 'cooler' than atmosphere.

 

again, more refrigeration process.

In short, would the canister burst from the inner pressure, or would it remain intact? And would it be effective at cooling the pc coolant? Just like some people don't understand chemical reaction or mathematics, I admit I don't understand refrigeration and the way you try to explain it.

[xentropa]

There is no physics law prohibiting what you mentioned.  Only question is how far you are willing to push your electricity bill to achieve your supercooling.

[Ser James Acinonyx of Compactis]

7 hours ago, xentropa said:

There is no physics law prohibiting what you mentioned.  Only question is how far you are willing to push your electricity bill to achieve your supercooling.

Well if I'm not mistaken, the electricity drain wouldn't increase if I don't increase the voltage (and therefore heat output) to compensate for the cooling. Like, if I took an overclocked system that ran just fine on dual rad with fans and exchanged the radiator with the liquid gas container.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I like learning.